11 replies to this topic

[Vauxhall]

This is pretty good - half an hour interview with Sam Mendes where he explains some of the decisions behind SPECTRE, and then about an hour of informed discussion about the movie and the sorts of issues which have been raised around here.

 

Worth a listen.

 

https://soundcloud.c...cial-sam-mendes

 

[deth]

Yes, a good listen... at least the Mendes part. I find the Empire crew to be a bit annoying at times.

 

Interesting that Mendes said that he really *was* providing an out for Bond... a possible retirement at the end. It didn't come across strongly enough then, in my opinion.

 

I think I'll stick with thinking he's on holiday.

[plankattack]

Yes, a good listen... at least the Mendes part. I find the Empire crew to be a bit annoying at times.

 

Interesting that Mendes said that he really *was* providing an out for Bond... a possible retirement at the end. It didn't come across strongly enough then, in my opinion.

 

I think I'll stick with thinking he's on holiday.

It was a good listen, yes. Thanks for the link Vauxhall.

 

Two comments, and it depends what you're looking for when you listen. I definitely sensed a "slip" on Mendes part - I can easily imagine he and DC discussing privately bringing it to a close, therefore ending the latter's tenure. I'd be curious as to when this podcast was recorded. In Mendes' recent media 1on1s (New York Times Q&A, Charlie Rose) he seemed only sure of his own future.

 

I was interested to hear the Empires team's position on some the plot decisions. Far more questioning of some choices than they were after SF, which I remember listening to at the time.

[Vauxhall]

I believe the Mendes bit was recorded the day after the London press screening - so 22nd October.

[Simon]

The interview clears up the DNA on the ring question.

 

Apparently it is not DNA that is seen on subsequent wearers of the same ring.  It is that a toxicology report has found a substance found in the ring, that has also been found in the blood of a number of other people Bond has killed and come up against.  The substance having been transferred from many similar rings to the blood of many wearers.

 

Makes sense.

[Harmsway]

Great listen. Every time I hear Mendes speak about this film, it's clear that he has tremendous passion for the project and the character. Accusations that Mendes somehow didn't care about the film are tremendously unfair.

[RMc2]

Great listen. Every time I hear Mendes speak about this film, it's clear that he has tremendous passion for the project and the character. Accusations that Mendes somehow didn't care about the film are tremendously unfair.

 

I hope he cares enough to let someone else make Bond 25 with Craig...

[Harmsway]

I don't think Mendes will be coming back.

Waltz and Bautista, on the other hand...

[RMc2]

Ooo, I do hope so!

[MattofSteel]

Great listen. Every time I hear Mendes speak about this film, it's clear that he has tremendous passion for the project and the character. Accusations that Mendes somehow didn't care about the film are tremendously unfair.

 

Very.

 

Now, no doubt, he's a major voice in what was likely a "collective" that made the decision to shape and execute the twist the way they did. He needs to be accountable for that (which was, I have to admit, a terrible decision that will not age well even if the movie itself does).

 

But as an overall package, SPECTRE is an amazing and tremendously fulfilling package that's clearly the product of some very passionate people - Mendes, Craig, Babs and Wilson to name a few. He should be celebrated for what he's brought to Bond, and to this film in particular.

 

It's funny. Writers and directors are so often "pinned" with the blame for individual elements of a film that don't land well, but more often than not, the reality behind the scene is far removed from what we see - even with a mountain of leaks that pull back the curtain more than normal. Having worked as a professional writer for long enough now (with a good chunk of those years spent 'in the business'), I sometimes feel you can watch a film and sense out of pure instinct when a script decision clearly wasn't a writer's or a directorial call might have perhaps leaned heavily in a producer's favour. 

 

I love SPECTRE. To death. But I'll happily concede it's compromised by too much ambition (if there's such a thing) and a very questionable spin on its core story and villain. That doesn't mean it's not still a phenomenal film and experience. Regardless of who Ernst Stavro Blofeld is and what his childhood was like, I'd take Craig and Mendes back to do these absolutely as long as they're capable of making them.

[thecasinoroyale]

I can't stand that Chris Hewitt bloke - still....good podcast and very interesting bits for sure.

[Matt_13]

" They could do the Young Bond novels."

 

Cool to hear Mendes recognize those!